Google Chrome adds "Skills" feature to save and reuse AI prompts as one-click workflows

Google has introduced a new "Skills" feature in Chrome that allows users to save their favorite AI prompts as reusable, one-click workflows, making repetitive tasks faster across multiple tabs and websites. According to reports from TechCrunch and Ars Technica, this builds directly on the integration of Google's Gemini AI assistant in the browser, enabling both custom saves from chat history and premade options from Google's library.

The rollout begins with desktop Chrome users set to US English, as noted by The Verge via Slashdot. Once available, users access it by typing a forward slash (/) in the Gemini interface and selecting a compass icon to manage Skills. For instance, Wired highlights practical premade examples like maximizing protein in recipes or summarizing YouTube videos directly from the Gemini sidebar, turning complex prompts into instant tools without retyping.

This addresses a common pain point for frequent AI users: repeatedly entering the same commands for similar results on different pages. Chrome product manager Hafsah Ismail, quoted in Machine Brief, describes Skills as shortcuts that eliminate this hassle, potentially boosting productivity for tasks like adapting recipes—such as converting chicken dishes to vegan versions—or analyzing content across sites. Hacker News discussions echo this, framing it as bookmarking for AI commands.

The feature fits into Google's broader push to embed AI deeper into Chrome, as outlined on the official Google Blog. Alongside Skills, enhancements include Gemini's ability to recall past webpages from history with natural language queries, like "the site with the walnut desk last week," and seamless integrations with apps such as Calendar, YouTube, and Maps for actions without switching tabs. Additional safeguards use AI to detect scams, manage notifications, and enable one-click password changes on sites like Spotify and Coursera.

For everyday users, this means streamlined browsing and workflow efficiency, particularly for researchers, shoppers, or content creators who rely on AI daily. It affects millions of Chrome's global desktop audience, starting in the US, with potential expansion implied by Google's phased announcements. Businesses and power users stand to benefit most, as reusable prompts could automate routine analyses or customizations.

What happens next remains tied to rollout pacing—currently limited to eligible US English users—with no firm timeline for mobile or international availability. While some observers on platforms like Hacker News question if it will become another underused tool, early coverage from Ben's Bites and others positions it as a meaningful evolution in agentic AI, where browser tools handle multi-step processes more intuitively. As Google continues refining Gemini in Chrome, Skills could set a new standard for personalized AI assistance in daily web use.